16,061 research outputs found
Petrologic and geophysical sources of long-wavelength crustal magnetic anomalies
The magnetic mineralogy and magnetic properties of the deep crust are studied as they pertain to the interpretation of long wavelength, or regional, crustal magnetic anomalies in satellite magnetic data and near surface magnetic data. The conclusions have relevance to the understanding of regional magnetic anomalies in magnetic field measuring satellite missions data. There are two separable studies: (1) a synthesis of available information of regional magnetic anomalies and the magnetization of metamorphic and igneous rocks, and (2) a detailed field, analytical, and experimental study of in situ and laboratory specimens from a terrain that offers exposures of high grade granlite facies rocks that have associated regional magnetic and gravity anomalies
A Radial Velocity Study of CTCV J1300-3052
We present time-resolved spectroscopy of the eclipsing, short period
cataclysmic variable CTCV J1300-3052. Using absorption features from the
secondary star, we determine the radial velocity semi-amplitude of the
secondary star to be K2 = 378 \pm 6 km/s, and its projected rotational velocity
to be v sin i = 125 \pm 7 km/s. Using these parameters and Monte Carlo
techniques, we obtain masses of M1 = 0.79 \pm 0.05 MSun for the white dwarf
primary and M2 = 0.198 \pm 0.029 MSun for the M-type secondary star. These
parameters are found to be in excellent agreement with previous mass
determinations found via photometric fitting techniques, supporting the
accuracy and validity of photometric mass determinations in short period CVs.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS (24th January 2012). 10 pages, 9
figures (black and white
Searching for nova shells around cataclysmic variables
We present the results of a search for nova shells around 101 cataclysmic
variables (CVs), using Halpha images taken with the 4.2-m William Herschel
Telescope (WHT) and the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric Halpha Survey
of the Northern Galactic Plane (IPHAS). Both telescopes are located on La
Palma. We concentrated our WHT search on nova-like variables, whilst our IPHAS
search covered all CVs in the IPHAS footprint. We found one shell out of the 24
nova-like variables we examined. The newly discovered shell is around V1315 Aql
and has a radius of approx.2.5 arcmin, indicative of a nova eruption
approximately 120 years ago. This result is consistent with the idea that the
high mass-transfer rate exhibited by nova-like variables is due to enhanced
irradiation of the secondary by the hot white dwarf following a recent nova
eruption. The implications of our observations for the lifetime of the
nova-like variable phase are discussed. We also examined 4 asynchronous polars,
but found no new shells around any of them, so we are unable to confirm that a
recent nova eruption is the cause of the asynchronicity in the white dwarf
spin. We find tentative evidence of a faint shell around the dwarf nova V1363
Cyg. In addition, we find evidence for a light echo around the nova V2275 Cyg,
which erupted in 2001, indicative of an earlier nova eruption approx.300 years
ago, making V2275 Cyg a possible recurrent nova.Comment: 14 pages, 50 figures, 3 Table
Geodetic results from ISAGEX data
Laser and camera data taken during the International Satellite Geodesy Experiment (ISAGEX) were used in dynamical solutions to obtain center-of-mass coordinates for the Astro-Soviet camera sites at Helwan, Egypt, and Oulan Bator, Mongolia, as well as the East European camera sites at Potsdam, German Democratic Republic, and Ondrejov, Czechoslovakia. The results are accurate to about 20m in each coordinate. The orbit of PEOLE (i=15) was also determined from ISAGEX data. Mean Kepler elements suitable for geodynamic investigations are presented
Station coordinates for GEOS-C altimeter calibration and experimentation
Station coordinates are given for the C-band radar GEOS-C altimeter calibration sites at Bermuda, Merritt, Grand Turk, and Wallops Islands. The coordinates were estimated in a multi-arc dynamic solution using GEOS-2 C-band radar and laser ranges with a priori information from the GSFC-1973 station coordinate solution. Comparisons with other solutions suggest a relative uncertainty of a few meters in each coordinate. Data reductions show that station coordinates of this quality can introduce a rapidly changing error into the altitude of a satellite whose orbit is determined from calibration area data alone. In contrast, global tracking constrains the orbit and results in slowly varying satellite position error
Underperforming policy networks : the biopesticides network in the United Kingdom
Loosely integrated and incomplete policy networks have been neglected in the literature. They are important to consider in terms of understanding network underperformance. The effective delivery and formulation of policy requires networks that are not incomplete or underperforming. The biopesticides policy network in the United Kingdom is considered and its components identified with an emphasis on the lack of integration of retailers and environmental groups. The nature of the network constrains the actions of its agents and frustrates the achievement of policy goals. A study of this relatively immature policy network also allows for a focus on network formation. The state, via an external central government department, has been a key factor in the development of the network. Therefore, it is important to incorporate such factors more systematically into understandings of network formation. Feedback efforts from policy have increased interactions between productionist actors but the sphere of consumption remains insufficiently articulated
Choosing the lesser of two evils, the better of two goods: Specifying the roles of ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate in object choice
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortices (ACd) are considered important for reward-based decision making. However, work distinguishing their individual functional contributions has only begun. One aspect of decision making that has received little attention is that making the right choice often translates to making the better choice. Thus, response choice often occurs in situations where both options are desirable (e.g., choosing between mousse au chocolat or crème caramel cheesecake from a menu) or, alternatively, in situations where both options are undesirable. Moreover, response choice is easier when the reinforcements associated with the objects are far apart, rather than close together, in value. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to delineate the functional roles of the vmPFC and ACd by investigating these two aspects of decision making: (1) decision form (i.e., choosing between two objects to gain the greater reward or the lesser punishment), and (2) between-object reinforcement distance (i.e., the difference in reinforcements associated with the two objects). Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses within the ACd and vmPFC were both related to decision form but differentially. Whereas ACd showed greater responses when deciding between objects to gain the lesser punishment, vmPFC showed greater responses when deciding between objects to gain the greater reward. Moreover, vmPFC was sensitive to reinforcement expectations associated with both the chosen and the forgone choice. In contrast, BOLD responses within ACd, but not vmPFC, related to between-object reinforcement distance, increasing as the distance between the reinforcements of the two objects decreased. These data are interpreted with reference to models of ACd and vmPFC functioning
Unexpected evolutionary proximity of eukaryotic and cyanobacterial enzymes responsible for biosynthesis of retinoic acid and its oxidation
Biosynthesis of retinoic acid from retinaldehyde (retinal) is catalysed by an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and its oxidation by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). Herein we show by phylogenetic analysis that the ALDHs and CYPs in the retinoic acid pathway in animals are much closer in evolutionary terms to cyanobacterial orthologs than would be expected from the standard models of evolution
Tests and comparisons of satellite derived geoids with Skylab altimeter data
The SKYLAB-193 radar altimeter was operated nearly continuously around the world on January 31, 1974. This direct measurement of the sea surface topography provided an independent basis for the evaluation of global geoids computed from satellite derived gravity models. The differences between the altimeter geoid and the satellite geoids were as large as 25 meters with rms values ranging from 8 to 10 meters. These differences also indicated a systematic long wavelength variation (approximately 100 deg) not related to error in the SKYLAB orbits. Truncation of the models to degree and order eight did not eliminate the long wavelength variation, but in every case the rms agreement between satellite and altimeter geoids was improved. Orbits computed with the truncated models were in contrast found to be inferior to those computed using the complete models
ESTIMATING THE ECONOMIC VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH EPDS FOR ANGUS BULLS AT AUCTION
The genetic traits that an Angus bull possesses convey the reproductive and economic value of the animal to potential buyers. This paper examines and draws comparisons between the value of actual production weights and production EPDs, while also establishing values for ultrasound EPDs. Results indicate that only one EPD, birth weight, was valued by buyers more than its corresponding actual weight, though actual weights and EPDs significantly impacted price. Ultrasound EPDs were also found to be significant, suggesting buyers of Angus bulls consider carcass information when purchasing bulls.Angus Bulls, Birth Weight, Carcass, EPDs, Hedonic Model, Livestock Production/Industries,
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